House votes to keep Tobyhanna funding

For months, two local Republican U.S. House members have taken heat for voting to approve a bill that could have led to major cuts at the Tobyhanna Army Depot.

ANDREW M. SEDER

For months, two local Republican U.S. House members have taken heat for voting to approve a bill that could have led to major cuts at the Tobyhanna Army Depot.

All along they said the matter was an oversight, and it would be worked out.

On Thursday night, the first step to remedy the situation took place, though it might be a short-term solution.

The U.S. House voted 329-91 to pass a temporary appropriations bill that keeps funding levels for 2011-12 static through March 28, 2013.

That's six months beyond the end of the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

The joint resolution is a stopgap measure in case Congress cannot reach an agreement on the appropriation of funds by Sept. 30. The resolution now moves on to the Senate and if approved, heads to the president for his signature.

Even though the resolution's purpose wasn't expressly to restore army depot funding — nor can the words Tobyhanna Army Depot be found in the bill — one outcome is it restores any potentially lost funding for up to six months.

"This takes us well after the election," Rep. Tom Marino, R-Lycoming Township said Friday. "Is six months long enough for me? No. But it gives us time to seriously sit down and roll up our sleeves and get something worked out."

But without subsequent votes being taken that specifically restore funding for depots or arsenals, once the fiscal year 2013 defense budget takes effect March 28, the issue of funding shortages could arise anew.

Since voting for the original $606 billion defense bill in July, Marino and Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, have been attacked by their Democrat opponents in the November election.

Both Phil Scollo, from Dingman Township, Pike County, who faces Marino, and Gene Stilp, of Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, who faces Barletta, have used the vote as a campaign issue.

Scollo has issued press releases and home mailers focusing on Marino's vote and its potential impact on Tobyhanna.

From the outset, Marino and Barletta said the Tobyhanna cuts were an oversight, and it would be addressed before any cuts would occur at Tobyhanna or other military depots.

Marino chided Scollo for making the livelihood of thousands fodder for an election campaign.

"I think it's terrible and an abomination that there are some politicians out there that would use the individuals at Tobyhanna to promote their political agenda. It's unfortunate these individuals are exploited," he said.

Marino said he visited Tobyhanna two weeks ago and assured those he met with that "they have my commitment that I will work as hard as I can to keep the funding going for Tobyhanna."

An emailed statement from Scollo lauded the short-term safety of jobs at Tobyhanna, but took Marino to task for allowing the cloud of uncertainty to hang over the depot for months.

"A month ago Marino said these cuts were 'the right thing to do' .... I'm glad he switched his vote to stop these jobs cuts, but it's a disgrace that it took months of intense political pressure to get Marino on board," Scollo said. "One has to wonder if he was honestly switching his vote or simply caving to election year political pressure."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has been critical of the GOP House bill that passed in July that put Tobyhanna jobs at risk. His spokesman, John Rizzo, responded Friday with guarded optimism.

"Sen. Casey is pleased that Tobyhanna is one step closer to having the resources it needs in the short term. Moving forward, Sen. Casey will continue to fight to ensure that Tobyhanna's funds are not cut in fiscal year 2013. Tobyhanna is a major employer in Pennsylvania and a key part of our national security strategy, so it's essential that the depot is funded appropriately."

Barletta agreed and said he will continue to push the importance of national defense and all military operations such as depots, with his House colleagues.

"I don't think anyone wants to see the government shut down," Barletta said. "I remain committed to ensuring that Tobyhanna and all other military depots receive the funding they need to continue operations."

Stilp did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

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